Report by Debbie James

On a dry and occasionally sunny Saturday in September, in a city founded by the Romans, the Centurions (red team) contested against the Legionaries (blue team) in the 2025 IntraFed Challenge. This annual end-of-season YCF competition, hosted at York Croquet Club, brings together players of both codes from clubs in our federation. This year players were fielded from the widest range of clubs ever for this event. Making their debut for Brodsworth Hall came Robert Grunwell and Mike Withers; while BERCC, Bishop Monkton, Ripon Spa, Driffield, Huddersfield and York all sent their regular squads.

The format of the day followed its customary pattern, starting with AC doubles in the morning. Mike and Robert coped well as newbies to AC, playing alternate stroke doubles with their AC partners, Denise and Debbie. Bravo to the newbies, and well done to Denise and Mike on a win for the Centurions! An uneven number of players meant that Philip Jay, the lowest handicapped player of the day, played as a single against the doubles pairing of Ted Flexman and Philip Watson. Philip J won +11, earning the only victory for team Legionaries from the morning play.

All was to play for after lunch. Playing partners were rejigged and two rounds of GC doubles commenced. As a newbie to GC, Philip Watson’s play matched the imperial purple of his jacket – imperious ball placement and hoop running, earning with Lionel Stock two wins for the Centurions. Other notable scores were a 7-0 victory for Robert Grunwell and Philip Jay, a much needed win for the Legionaries; and 7-6, 7-3 victories for Jack Upsall, playing for the Legionaries as a single against the doubles pairing of Mike Withers and Graham King.

With the Centurions 10-6 ahead, teams refuelled with Malcolm’s celebrated coffee and walnut cake. Seven games of 1-ball followed, but only one further win ensued for the Legionaries, a close victory by Debbie, +3 against Ted. So the Centurions were declared the clear winners, by 16 points to 7. Toblerone sweets were awarded to the winning team.

Congratulations Centurions – resplendent in red, and thanks to your team captain Ted for a well-managed and fun day of play.

Report by Manager Philip Jay

The AC Handicap Tournament again saw a maximum filed of12 competitors (all of whom were from York and Huddersfield Croquet Clubs) arrive to do battle. The only difference this year was that, due to a number of withdrawals for various reasons, the field included everyone who had entered by the allocation date and was still available.

In keeping with many croquet lawns in Yorkshire, there had been reports that the lawns at York were becoming fast due to the ongoing drought conditions. However, thanks to a few showers in the days prior to the event and some heavy rain on Saturday evening, the lawns had started to revert to a shade of green. This resulted in the lawns being much more user friendly and the majority of games being pegged out.

The biggest hazard turned out to be the early onset of Autumn with falling leaves and seed heads on the lawns, which was rapidly rectified with the aid of a leaf blower and an excellent team effort.

The tournament was played as a Swiss format with six rounds of games. At the end of Saturday, Debbie was out in front with 3 wins from 3 games but there were several others on 2 wins each.

Sunday saw a change of fortunes for many, but after the first game of the day 9 players were on 2 or 3 wins and the manager had visions of a multiple tie at the close of play. However, Game 4 changed things considerably with only Malcolm and Philip on 4 wins. As they had not previously player each other, they were paired for the final round which would then determine the overall winner.

The game turned out to be a tense encounter; both players had more than one chance to peg out but Philip finally managed to do so, winning the tournament by the narrowest of margins. So (much to the embarrassment of the manager) Philip was awarded the trophy having 5 wins, with Anna, Helen, Malcolm and Patrick in joint second with 4 wins.

Philip was also presented over the weekend with the Queen Elizabeth 70^th Jubilee Cup for winning the National Veterans C Class Level AC event which was held at Cheltenham in June, as unfortunately the trophy was not available for presentation at the time.

Many thanks to York CC for hosting this event and to everyone who helped over the weekend to make it such a success.

Hosted by Bishop Monkton Croquet Club on 20th August 2025

Report by manager Bob Strover

20th August saw BMCC host the YCF ‘C’ (7+) level play tournament. Eight players from Ripon Spa, Sheffield Parkhead, Brodsworth and Bishop Monkton croquet clubs fought it out in an all play all timed format. Despite the cold winds there was plenty of close action with Nick Barraclough (below) in his first season winning 6 of his 7 games to claim the trophy. John Atack (Brodsworth) kept the pressure on throughout to win 5 of his 7 games.

Thanks go to Bob and Jackie Strover for organising the day and to Michael Franklin of Ripon Spa for acting as referee.

The Inter Fed YCF v Croquet North match, scheduled for Saturday 27th September, at Middlesbrough has been cancelled for this year. The Intra-Federation challenge has taken its place.

Calling all YCF players (both codes). Come to a fun day of competition at York on Saturday 27 September, all day. Join this year’s Intra-Federation Challenge, YCF players vs YCF players, AC doubles/GC doubles and 1-ball.

To register your interest contact Debbie James by the end of August, yorkcroquet@gmail.com.

We are aiming for as much representation as possible from all clubs in our federation. GC players will be well supported on the day to play AC.’

Report by Libby Dixon

Yorkshire Federation Level Play Golf 31^st July

Pendle and Craven CC played Sheffield Croquet Club today in mixed weather of sunshine and cloudy cool conditions. Pendle Team Paul (1), Andrew (4) and Libby (4).

Sheffield team John C (0), Richard (2) and John T (5).

The match commenced at 10:30 and by lunch Pendle CCC were 5/1 up.

The afternoon play saw Pendle 5/1 again, therefore the match was won by Pendle 10/2. It also saw Andrew to gain enough points to gain a handicap of 3.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed before the Sheffield team set off for home.

Report by manager Bob Strover

Wednesday 23rd August at Bishop Monkton CC

Eight pairs of players from four clubs met at Bishop Monkton lawns for the annual restricted doubles competition.
Under slightly grey skies play was ‘All play All’ level play over seven rounds. Games were limited to 35 minutes and the competition was concluded in good time before the late afternoon rain arrived whilst tea and cake were enjoyed in the village hall.
This is an ideal format for high handicap players to compete with more able low handicappers and gain valuable experience.
In the end the Bishop Monkton pairing of Chris Higgins (1) and Jen Bradshaw (10) were recipients of the YCF shield with 5 wins and 1 draw, closely followed by Gill Brent (BMCC) and Marcia Henderson (BACC) with 4 wins and 2 draws. Third place went to Roger I’Anson and Liz Franklin from Ripon Spa.
An enjoyable and convivial day was had by all participants and it is hoped more clubs from our region will enter teams in the future.
Thanks to all who helped on the day with organisation and catering.

Report by Lionel Stock

“Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative,” said Oscar Wilde, apparently.  If so, unimaginative I shall be.  Last year our main challenge was surviving the rain and bitter cold, this year the risk came from potential heat stroke.  The competitors were reminded that their health was more important than the game.  They should seek shade if they felt uncomfortable.  They smiled and nodded, but looked unconvinced. And so the day began.

Once again, eight pairs from five Yorkshire clubs (Ripon Spa, York, Brodsworth Hall, Beverley and East Riding, and Bishop  Monkton) gathered at York.  Combined handicaps ranged widely, from 5 to quite-a-lot, with most pairings around 10.  The games themselves were to be played level, without extra turns or advantage hoops.  Double banking always presents challenges, particularly in time limited games.  One innovation this year was to start secondaries at Corner II, with primaries starting from Corner IV as usual.  It worked well; half the games were completed within the forty five minutes allocated.  At times, informal agreements between the players to skip a hoop rather than wait for the other game to finish contesting it helped play to continue at pace.

Quality shone through from the start.  The low handicap pairs of Chris Higgins & Jo-Ann Hughes and Roger I’Anson & Ted Flexman had both won their two games before the coffee break, joined by Bob Strover & Robb Wainwright.  By lunch, and another two games played, Roger and Ted’s two further wins had edged them ahead.  Their rivals both managed one win and a draw on time.

Many thanks to Penny Clark for acting as Referee, and to all those who helped set up the lawns and refreshments, and tidied away at the end, and to York CC for their hospitality.

Report by manager Ted Flexman

Twelve of the best GC players in the region completed for the small but beautiful Singles trophy on a sunny and breezy day at Ripon Spa’s ground at Studley.

Players came from Middlesbrough, Pendle, Sheffield, Bishop Monkton and Ripon – a good spread from across the county.

From the morning group games Sue I’Anson emerged as leader with three straight wins.  In the afternoon knockout rounds Robert Mumford won the Plate and Bob Strover battled through to take the trophy after a high standard, hard fought day.

Manager, Ted Flexman, congratulated Bob and noted what an excellent year he was having, thanks the Ripon Team for their excellent hospitality and wished all players well for their next tournaments.

Report by manager Ted Flexman

Well, you happily play croquet in glorious sunshine and sometimes almost too hot days and then, when it is the date of the Yorkshire Croquet Federation Team GC Advantage Day the skies open and heavy showers refresh the ground and soak the players! But did it dampen our spirits? Oh no.

Twelve players made up 4 teams of three to contest rounds of doubles and singles and under Ted’s flexible management all got to play with a partner and on their own.

Congratulation to Penny, Anne and Marion from Ben Rhydding who came from second place to win in the last round.  This was a good test of the Positive Advantage system.  The main disadvantage of the GC Advantage idea is that often more than 13 hoops are required to be played in order to have a clear result and timed games can be unsatisfactory ( certainly for the losers!).

However it was a good occasion;

               “ enjoyed enormously despite the showers.  It is always fun to meet croquet friends old and new in the splendid venue of Studley.”

Surely it won’t rain on us next year!

Report by Debbie James

Yorkshire clubs have helped to make a huge difference to people living with dementia by competing in the Charity 1-ball.

45 clubs from England and Wales, (including the YCF, Sheffield and Huddersfield) played a heat in 2025 to raise the record-breaking sum £8,759.35.

Even the cheque is blue.